Careers

Careers Strategy for Iqra Academy Peterborough

Iqra Academy Vision Statement

At Iqra Academy we encourage creativity and critical thinking to prepare students for the future. “To equip every student with skills, knowledge and experiences necessary to pursue their chosen career paths confidently and responsibly”

We aim to create a dynamic and inclusive learning environment where students are inspired to reach their full potential, we want all students to raise their aspirations, goals and ambitions and become innovative thinkers and responsible leaders in their communities.

OUR CAREERS PROGRAMME

Our careers education programme is delivered to all Pupils from year 7 – 11 and is delivered in line with the Gatsby Benchmarks.

Preliminary understanding and awareness is actioned through Personal, Health and Social Education (PSHE) lessons. Pupils reflect on interests, abilities and potential opportunities.

Introduction to careers Assemblies are carried out to introduce the concept of careers and importance of careers planning. Guest speakers from various professions assist to share their experiences.

Skills Development Sessions provide essential skills such as resume writing, interview techniques, teamwork activities, problem solving and social behavioral skills. Encourage participation in extracurricular activities related to various fields.

Career fairs are organized annually, where students can meet representatives from various industries. Provide resources for students to learn about job openings and career pathways.

Year 9 pupils have full understanding of different careers and how choosing subjects can impact different pathways. All pupils in Year 9 are able to access careers lead for queries or advice in regard to GCSE options

Careers and employability

At Iqra Academy we will implement and adhere to a careers policy that supports these aims set out by the DFE.

We aim for all young individuals to be aware of the wide variety of opportunities open to them, gain insights from the employers about the skills that are appreciated in the workplace and have direct experience in a work environment.
We aim for every young person to receive a programme of advice and guidance that is consistent, organized and tailored to individuals with the appropriate skills and experience.
We want everyone to get support tailored to their circumstances at any time. All adults will be able to access free face-to-face advice with more bespoke support for those who need it most.
We want every student to receive the information necessary to grasp the job and career opportunities open to them, as well as comprehend how their knowledge and skills can assist them in exploring appropriate career paths.
At iqra Academy, we aim to prepare our students for the world of work as thoroughly as possible.
We offer resources such as resume writing, C.V preparation as well as interview practice to enhance their job readiness. Additionally, we connect them with industry professionals through networking events, allowing them to gain insights and real-world experiences in their chosen careers.

“The Government’s careers strategy, published on 4 December 2017, sets out a long-term plan to build a world class careers system that will help young people and adults choose the career that is right for them.” – DfE Statutory Guidance 2018

DfE Statutory Guidance updated in October 2018 sets out the requirements and expectations of schools.

“To achieve this aim, the careers strategy sets out that every school and academy providing secondary education should use the Gatsby Charitable Foundation’s Benchmarks to develop and improve their careers provision.” – DfE Statutory Guidance 2018

In summary, these benchmarks are:

A stable careers programme
Learning from career and labour market information
Addressing the needs of each pupil
Linking curriculum learning to careers
Encounters with employers and employees
Experiences of workplaces
Encounters with further and higher education
Personal guidance

These are the benchmarks that underpin the most recent government legislation and the Ofsted framework. They provide an excellent self-assessment and reference point from which to evaluate both our current provision and our development moving forward.

The programme will be evaluated half-termly by the careers lead and SLT link manager. The views of students, staff, parents and external partners involved in the programme will be used to make changes.